NABERS introduces data centre tool

NABERS have announced the launch of their Energy for Data Centres rating tools in response to increasing energy consumption for data processing and storage as a result of the rapidly growing technology sector.

A 2011 Cisco White paper estimates that due to the combination of new users connecting, users demanding more and higher quality data and an increase in mobile activity, internet traffic in Australia will grow by 36 per cent per year, with 2016 usage predicted to be nearly five times that of 2011.

Most companies have server and data storage equipment, whether hosted internally or offsite. But how many companies are aware of the amount of energy their IT equipment consume, or what it is costing annually, particularly with increased storage and supply demands? Furthermore, how many companies are aware of how to obtain the information required in a business case for an energy efficient upgrade which could save on annual operational costs, plus help reduce carbon emissions?

Having identified the need for increased energy efficiency in the data sector, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, national administrator of NABERS, entered into an agreement with the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, to develop the NABERS Energy for data centre rating tools.

Three new tools have been developed:

IT Equipment – a world first in measuring and benchmarking the energy efficiency of the IT equipment within a data centre (in-house or external).

Infrastructure – uses the internationally recognised Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to assess the efficiency of the infrastructure services in providing suitable conditions to the IT equipment housed in the data centre.

Whole Facility – is equivalent to a Whole Building rating under NABERS for offices.

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